Horse Project Leaders Needs Assessment
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4-H Horse and Pony ID
Iowa Western 4-H Nationals Results
Hippology Team - Bianca Sponseller, Jordan Rydl and Kylene Harold
Quiz Bowl Team: Claira Miller, Lindsey Donnelly, Kat Hawley and Brody Bents
Twelve 4-H members from around the state gathered to participate in Animal Science Roundup this June 23-25. Animal Science Roundup is an extension of the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference that takes place every year at Iowa State University’s campus. The horse section is organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Specialist Peggy Auwerda.
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4H Roundup Youth Wrapping a Leg |
Students are selected to participate and gain hands-on learning experience. The first day of the program consisted of Nikki Ferwerda, the horse farm supervisor collecting a stallion and discussing semen evaluation. Next, leg models were used to allow youth to practice wrapping legs. The second day consisted of a trip to Prairie Meadows Backside and Track side. Jon Moss, Executive Director of the Iowa H.B.P.A. gave a wonderful tour and discussion of horse racing. The youth were allowed to discuss the horses training on the track, visit the jockeys room and assess equipment, visit the area where urine or blood specimens are obtained from the first or second place finishers after a race and visit the track office where horses are signed up to race. The afternoon consisted of the youth learning to body condition score and measure weight in horses, evaluate a digestive tract and Kirk Hatfield discussed Ranch Riding.
The last day of Animal Science Roundup included a skillathon and quiz bowl where the youth are quizzed over the items they learned about at Roundup.
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Jon Moss and Dr. John Sweeney discussing the test barn at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino |
We all know that having horses requires more than just jumping on and riding! One way to help youth get motivated to learn more about the science behind horses is to encourage them to get involved in Equine Extravaganza.
Save the dates for the 2020 Equine Extravaganza – March 20-22! This is held at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls. It isn’t too soon to start gathering a team! The following activities are part of this event:
Information from previous years is available now on this website: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/equineextravaganza Please check back for information that will be updated for 2020 shortly after the first of the year.
If you have never participated before, consider attending this year and observing or if you don’t mind jumping in, consider encouraging youth to participate!
Additional resources for quiz bowl and Hippology include:
If you are looking to start a horse judging team, consider checking out some of these resources:
Video Resources:
Some great publications:
Online subscription resources:
Lastly, if you haven’t joined our 4-H Horse Project Leaders Facebook page, please consider this your invitation to do so! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1420123681586863/
Lisa Berkland | IA
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
4-H Youth Development Specialist
2008 10th Street
Emmetsburg, IA 51358
lisaberk@iastate.edu
www.extension.iastate.edu
2020 Fair Special Edition: Iowa 4-H and FFA Livestock Show
In the spirit of tradition, the Iowa State Fairgrounds are excited to host the 2020 Fair Special Edition: Iowa 4-H and FFA Livestock Show. Held with the same prestige and competition found at the Iowa State Fair, this 2020 Special Edition will showcase the superior showmanship, hard work, and determination of Iowa’s 4-H and FFA youth. This Special Edition show will follow all Iowa Department of Public Health and CDC recommendations for social distancing, hand washing and sanitization, so although it will be held in August and on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, you may notice some “special” considerations for this stand-alone event.
Purpose: To support the mission statement of the Iowa State Fair by providing an opportunity for Iowa 4-H and FFA youth to showcase their hard work and livestock projects.
Eligibility: Open to Iowa 4-H and FFA exhibitors that have nominated/identified livestock projects for the 2020 Iowa State Fair. Shows will be available for the following:
*nomination not required
Schedule: The 4-H and FFA livestock shows will happen over three weekends in August.
The new schedule allows more room for exhibitors to try to obey social distancing recommendations. The separation of the shows allows for the Fairgrounds to be cleaned thoroughly between sessions.
**As mentioned before, some shows and competitions will not be offered for 2020. This includes the 4-H Dog Show (we are looking at alternative dates/locations), all carcass and/or performance contests including 4-H Beef of Merit, Sheep Carcass Contest; Livestock Skillathons, and non-show competitions (no poster presentations, etc.) and no Showmanship classes will be conducted this year. Just simply the livestock shows themselves.
Attendees: For crowd control purposes each exhibitor will receive 3 wristbands total. A limited number of wristbands will be available to show supporters. A $100 donation to the show will grant the donor 2 wristbands good for all three sessions August 6-22. More information will be available soon.
Wristbands will be required to access the Fairgrounds. Wristbands will not be available on site.
No additional fees for admission or parking will be charged.
4-H Entry:
Entry fees:
Since no admission or parking will be charged to exhibitors this year, and with very limited revenue coming into the State Fair, entry fees will increase for 2020 to the following:
Exhibitor Communication: Follow show information on Facebook under 2020 Fair Special Edition: Iowa 4-H and FFA Livestock Show or Text SHOW to 75782
Generators: No auxiliary generators will be provided by the State Fair.
Parking: Parking will be allowed on the fairgrounds in designated areas at no cost. All persons in the vehicle must have a wristband to enter the Fairgrounds. Wristbands will NOT be available on site.
Trailer Parking: Trailers parking will be available on grounds in designated areas at no cost.
Premiums and Ribbons: CHANGE for 2020: The Danish Ribbon systems will still be used – exhibitors will receive the typical Purple, Blue, Red, White in each class. However, monetary premiums will be paid only to the top 3 placings in each class across all divisions.
Species-Specific Rule Changes:
Exhibitors will notice some key changes for 2020 in certain species. For instance, due to no market outlet, market swine will not be loaded out for harvest. All shows will be non-terminal for 2020. The only exception will be for the following which are scheduled to be harvested at the Iowa State University Meat Lab: Grand and Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer; Grand and Reserve Grand 4-H Champion Market Heifer; Grand and Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog; Grand and Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb; Grand and Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Broiler (Special); Grand Champion 4-H Market Meat Goat; Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb; Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion FFA Market Hog; Grand Champion FFA Market Meat Goat.
Other Amenities: A small variety of food and show supply vendors will be available.
Accommodations and Camping:
COVID-19 Precautions:
4-H Livestock Show Volunteers:
I know many county staff has been gracious in assisting the 4-H Livestock crew in years past with helping during check-ins, shows, and a host of other things. I will once again need some help in those areas, especially with our Fair Entry system. I will be editing and posting a new Google Doc sign-up sheet for county staff (or general volunteers) that would like to help this year. Admission wristbands will be provided. We are still working out details on food/meals for our staff and volunteers. More to come on that aspect.
Again, I know there are several other questions and details everyone is wondering about. Some we have answers to, some we do not quite yet. I will plan on having a “Mike’s Livestock Office Hours” very soon to help answer questions on fairs and shows happening at the county or state level.
Thank you again for your patience and we will all get this pulled together for our 4-H and FFA youth to have a positive exhibition experience!
Mike Anderson
State 4-H Livestock Program Specialist
1259 Stange Rd.
Ames, IA 50011
mikeande@iastate.edu
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/
Iowa 4-H and Youth horse activities
Equine Extravaganza provides opportunities for all youth in grades 4 through 12 to share their knowledge of the equine industry through a variety of competitions and participatory events. Select opportunities are also open to young people in third grade. You do not need to be a member of 4-H to register. As a part of the event, a judge's clinic is also offered. This opportunity is for adults wanting to become certified or re-certified to judge at a county or regional equine shows in Iowa. The 2020 Extravaganza is scheduled for March 20 -22 at the Ellsworth Community College Equestrian Center in Iowa Falls.